Every year some candidates score well in the UTME and still cannot be admitted to the course they want, because their subject combination or O-Level results do not meet the requirements. Others choose a course without knowing what it involves. Choosing carefully at the start saves time and disappointment. This article explains the requirements to check and a sensible way to decide.
Three requirements to check
For each course and institution, candidates need to confirm three things. First, the UTME subject combination: Use of English plus three subjects specified for the course. Second, the O-Level requirements: usually five credit passes including specified subjects such as English Language and Mathematics, obtained in no more than two sittings for most courses. Third, any additional institutional requirements, such as a post-UTME screening or a minimum score. JAMB publishes these requirements in its official brochure, and institutions publish their own guidance.
Common mistakes
- Registering UTME subjects that do not match the chosen course.
- Missing a required O-Level subject, often Mathematics, a science or Literature.
- Relying on what a friend did last year instead of the current brochure.
- Choosing only the most competitive course with no realistic alternative.
Understanding the course itself
Beyond requirements, a student should understand what a course involves: the subjects studied in each year, the practical or laboratory work, the length of the programme and the careers it commonly leads to. Speaking with current students, reading the department's course outline and asking professionals in the field give a more realistic picture than a course's reputation alone.
وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ
“And consult them in the matter. Then, when you have decided, rely upon Allah.”
Deciding with consultation and istikhārah
Islam offers a balanced method for important decisions: gather information, consult people with knowledge and experience, then pray ṣalāt al-istikhārah, asking Allah to make the matter easy if it is good and to turn it away if it is not, as the Prophet ﷺ taught his Companions. The student and parents should then proceed with confidence, accepting that admission outcomes are ultimately in Allah's hands.
Interests, strengths and realism
A good choice balances three things: what the student enjoys, what they are good at, and what is realistic given admission competition and family circumstances. A student who loves biology but struggles with chemistry and physics will find a medical course very demanding. Honest conversations with teachers who know the student's work, and a look at mock results across subjects, help ground the decision.
Students should also consider the length and cost of a programme, the availability of related careers, and whether the course allows a path to further study. Having a clear second choice that shares the same subject combination keeps options open if the first choice is very competitive.
A practical checklist
Before registering, write down your first-choice course and institution and one realistic alternative. For each, note the UTME subjects, the O-Level subjects and grades required, and the post-UTME arrangements. Compare these with your results and plans, and register only when everything matches. A few hours of checking at this stage can save a year.
Sources and further reading
- Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. UTME/DE Brochure (current edition).
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, ḥadīth 1162 (ṣalāt al-istikhārah).
- Qurʾān, Āl ʿImrān 3:159.